...I worked at the CTS (see yesterday's post. More of same.) Hurried to an Anglican ladies' group in Streatham where I gave a talk ("Celebrating feasts and seasons"). Back through rain to central London in a steamy bus. Brief visit to Westminster Cathedral - all scaffolding and repairs at present - met a friend, as so often happens, in the Bl. Sacrament chapel and had one of those conversation that start in whispers because it's in church and continue properly outside as you walk up to Victoria station and cover all sorts of things from liturgy to current trends in Church and nation. He's involved with an (excellent - I've met them. V. devout, keen on adoration, confession, Rosary, loyalty to Pope) charismatic-based group, but laments, and very rightly, aspects of their liturgy (pottery chalice!! aaaarggh!).
Met dear niece L. by pre-arrangement at Temple tube station. Jamie took us out to dinner - v.v. agreeable. The Middle Temple and its environs looks wonderful on a May evening with a faint drift of rain and a feeling of Dickens and the Knights Templar and history gently blending, and Jamie enjoyed taking his wife and niece through the corner of London that is his own, and bustling us into a restaurant and giving us a good dinner.
Back at home, sat late with niece, talked and talked. Covered Jane Austen, Harry Potter (we're in favour),youth crime, what a future Govt could/should do about all sorts of things.
10 comments:
I am completely ignorant to the reason why a pottery chalice is not correct. Would you please explain? I am a convert to Catholicism, and while I have never actually seen a pottery chalice used, I am curious what would be the harm in doing so?
Thanks!
Did L get a word in edgeways?
To anonymous 1:
The celebration of the Holy Mass, is the most sacred and powerful prayer for any Catholic. In the mass, the actual body and blood - soul and divinity, of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is made present on our altars. Because of this awesome miracle, we must use the best we have, to treat the sacred species with the utmost reverence possible for the Son of God. That is why, traditionally the items used at mass, have been precious objects which are beautifully crafted.
Almost certainly at the Last Supper Jesus would have used a kiddush cup. Usually this was the most expensive item of tableware that a Jewish family owned, made of silver and elaborately decorated.
The 16th century reformers claimed, with bad historical knowledge, that the grail would have been a wooden drinking cup. From that point on the type of vessel used for Holy Communion became a symbol of division.
"The sacred species"? What does that mean? Jesus was a human, the same as you or me and we are all divine. Snobbery is the reason for eschewing the product of the humble potter, the fellow craftsman of the humble carpenter.
When the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ instituted the Eucharist at the last supper, He used a clay cup. What was good enough for Him on earth is good enough for Him in heaven. In a spirit of reparation precious metals began to be used from Constantine's time onwards. But today reparation should be made for the petty uncharity of those who get exercised by the Lord's own practice. Auntie Joanna seems never to have used or heard of tea cups and saucers, she prefers using proletarian mugs. So she ought to feel quite at home with pottery chalices.
Actually L managed to get in a considerable number of words, thanks for your concern! I think an inability to stop talking is a family trait. Thanks for a lovely couple of days, Auntie! xxxxx
Just thought I would clarify that I am the original Anonymous 1 and none of the other comments are from me. Any idea where I could read up on this further?
Thanks!
Lisa -
The definitive instruction is found in Redemptionis Sacramentum, the 2004 Instruction from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Sorry - forgot to quote the relevant bit, from para 117:
"Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books.[205]The Bishops’ Conferences have the faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the recognitio by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region,[206]so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate."
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